POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the
direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Director will be responsible for directing,
performing and planning daily operations of group benefit programs (group
health, dental, vision, prescription, short-term and long-term disability,
worker’s compensation, life insurance, travel and accident plan, flexible
spending plan, 403(b) and 457(b) plan and retirement plan), executive level
supervision for processing system-wide benefits, transaction and costing
analysis and reconciliation of benefits, and financial management and
compliance reporting.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Provides
strong managerial, technical, and interpersonal leadership, guidance,
direction, training, and support to staff;
Develops,
recommends and implements standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for all benefit
functions and operations ensuring proper documentation exists to support
benefit changes;
Prepares,
controls and distributes employer and employee federal and state tax reports
and returns;
Provides
accurate job and deduction information to ensure correct payroll data for all
benefits services;
Advises
managers and employees on state and federal benefit regulations, benefit
policies and procedures and benefit programs;
Administers
employee health and wellness benefit plans, works with insurance brokers and
TPAs (benefits administrator and plan carriers); responsible for the overall
relationship with vendors, brokers and/or consultants;
Researches
employee benefit, health and safety practices and recommends changes or modifications
to existing policies;
Manages,
plans, develops, implements, administers and communicates benefit programs,
including health and welfare and retirement (defined benefit and defined
contribution) benefit plans;
Manages
the overall benefit plan renewal process and annual benefit plan, budgeting in
close partnership with Finance and Budget Management Services;
Reviews,
edits and negotiates vendor contract agreement language, terms and performance
guarantees, involving internal and/or external legal counsel as appropriate;
Creates
and executes written project plans that identify scope, deliverables, tasks,
accountabilities and due dates required to ensure successful project
completion;
Anticipates
changes and needs of the marketplace, company and employees to ensure the
benefit program remains competitive and financially sustainable;
Researches
legislative requirements and ensures compliance of the various employee benefit
plans and programs;
Oversees
internal and external audits and ensures internal compliance standards are met;
Envisions,
conceptualizes and formulates action plans for process improvements, service
delivery enhancements and cost savings measures;
Provides
guidance, advice, analysis and training of Human Resources professionals with
respect to applicable benefit plans;
Serves
as a subject matter expert and provides consultation regarding complex benefit
issues;
Carries
out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organization’s policies and
applicable laws, which include conducting interviews, making hiring
recommendations, staff development, staff supervision, performance evaluation,
complaint resolution and problem solving;
Performs
other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Thorough
knowledge of benefit laws and regulations in the state of Maryland, including local
and federal governments;
Knowledge
of information management systems and their application to benefit operations;
Ability
to review, examine, analyze, and interpret benefit and accounting documents and
records;
Strong
working knowledge of benefits, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
and other governing regulations;
Strong
analytical competence, including modeling and scenario planning;
Ability
to develop project plans and lead and/or act in key role on strategic projects
and initiatives;
Proven
ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth, rapidly changing
environment;
Ability
to communicate effectively and develop positive working relationships with both
internal and external vendors, brokers/consultants, and customers;
Ability
to exercise sound judgment, set priorities, organize, implement and administer
effectively in all areas of accountability;
Demonstrated
ability to communicate effectively with leaders and employees at all levels
across the organization while maintaining confidentiality of all employee data;
Previous
experience in an automated benefits environment with prior knowledge of HRMS;
Ability
to recognize, initiate and implement system changes;
Ability
to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system
officials and employees; and
Strong
and effective oral and written communications skills.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s Degree
from an accredited college or university in business management, human
resources or a related field required; Master’s Degree preferred. Seven (7) years of experience in a benefit
leadership position including supervision of a professional benefits staff, as
well as managing and supervising a large computerized benefit system in
government or the private sector; experience with Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) systems required, preferably Oracle HRMS.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Certified Employee
Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Human Resources certification (PHR, SHRM-CP) or Certified
Benefits Professional (CBP) preferred.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversees and provides
guidance and direction to the unit staff.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Minimal travel may be required.